Employees at Belaggio Jewelry Store were frightened but not injured Friday when two suspects entered the store armed and ready to flea with inventory. Police continue their search for the suspects.

Just before 5 p.m., two men were buzzed into the store on Cottman Avenue near Large Street and forced the three employees into the back of the store at gunpoint.

The men fled after stealing from jewelry trays and a safe. Some details are available from an off-duty officer who spotted the pair: Both are black males and they took off in a green Ford Contour with Pennsylvania plates ending in 2204. continue reading »

The Northeast is home to just one of the city’s public health clinics: Health Care Center 10 at Cottman and Bustleton.

But a report from health-economics experts at the University of Pennsylvania says changing demographics in the 19111, 19120 and 19124 ZIP codes has created a gap. The report recommends adding a health care center somewhere around Lawncrest. continue reading »

Tacony Civic Association board member Lou Iatarola reviews zoning matters at the September 2011 meeting.

Lou Iataroloa had less than an hour to zip through a dozen active zoning issues in Tacony at Tuesday’s civic association meeting.

Before 15th District Capt. Frank Bachmayer took the floor at 8 p.m. for his town hall meeting, the association board had an hour to review old business, new business and upcoming meetings.

The zoning issues involved a variety of issues, including illegal duplexes and auto body shops. The rundown Iatarola, a TCA board member, is below. For pending permits and variances, neighbors living within 500 feet of the properties in question will receive a notice prior to the TCA’s meeting and the Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing. continue reading »

A father and son were injured Monday afternoon when they were struck by a vehicle on Cottman Avenue.

Around noon, the man, 35, and his 4-year-old son were hit by the vehicle around Cottman Avenue and Horrocks Street when they darted into the street for an unknown reason. continue reading »

Police in the 15th District continue to look for the man wanted in connection with an April 7 robbery on the 2800-block of Cottman Avenue.

According to the police report, the man tore a 75-year-old woman’s purse from her arm  after struggling with her to grab the purse. He fled on foot toward Revere Street around 3 p.m. and is still on the loose. The woman’s cash, credit cards, keys and identification cards were in her purse. continue reading »

The new southbound I-95 ramp in Tacony will be at Longshore Avenue and State Road.

Pay extra attention on your drive today, because there’s a new southbound I-95 ramp in Tacony.

The switch will take place mid-day, weather depending.

Instead of getting on the southbound ramp at Princeton Avenue, you’ll now use the ramp on Longshore Avenue off State Road. It’s part of the plan to make Princeton Avenue a two-way residential street. continue reading »

UPDATE — At the Sept. 13 Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, the vote for the new bylaws, which included the expansion of the boundaries, was approved by the voting membership.  The vote was unanimous.

Following a meeting between the Holmesburg and Mayfair civic association boards, the two groups have decided the HCA will expand its coverage to include the area east of Frankford Avenue to the Delaware River between Sheffield Street and Cottman Avenue.

This area was previously not covered by any community organization. The HCA’s executive board has been revising its bylaws to incorporate the extra blocks, and those bylaws will be voted on by members in September. continue reading »

Officers in the 15th District were busy yesterday with two evening crimes in Mayfair and Frankford.

At 6 p.m. officers responded to a robbery report at the First Republic Bank at Frankford at Cottman. Authorities are looking for a white male about 5’8″ with a thin build who was wearing a plaid shirt. The suspect reportedly handed a teller a demand note and fled on foot with $1,500. continue reading »

Three men were arrested Thursday after robbing a bank on the 2200-block of Cottman Avenue near Horrocks Street.

According to reports, the men donned masks to rob a PNC branch around 1 p.m., and fled with the money. Police chased the suspects and arrested them about 10 minutes later on the 7200-block of Oakland Street.

The money and at least one gun were recovered.

Cottman-Princeton interchange plans courtesy of PennDOT.

State Sen. Mike Stack and Rep. Mike McGeehan announced Wednesday that the two westbound lanes of Cottman Avenue were opened as part of the ongoing project to improve the Cottman/Princeton interchange of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia.

“This is good news as the unofficial start of summer begins,” Stack said. “This latest phase of the project will help improve the flow of traffic, especially during rush hour and on the weekends when folks are out and about.” continue reading »